2 2020-21 NFHS DIVING OFFICIALS’ GUIDELINES MANUAL DR. KARISSA L. NIEHOFF, Publisher Sandy Searcy, Editor NFHS Publications © 2020 by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Permission is granted to copy and use in its entirety by an individual or non-profit organization solely for the purpose of training diving officials. Any other use of any portions of this document is prohibited without written permission from the NFHS. Cover Design: Kim Vogel, NFHS Cover photos courtesy of Paynter Pics, Arizona Interscholastic Association. 3 INTRODUCTION This manual is provided to improve the consistency of officiating high school diving. It is based on the premise that the purpose of diving judges at a meet is to ensure fair competition for all participants in accordance with the rules established by the NFHS. In order to accomplish this, officials must understand the rules and enforce all rules without regard for the outcome of the competition. This manual is not meant to be “another rules book.” Rather, it is designed to assist all officials in understanding their role in conducting competition. While it should be especially useful for new and less experienced diving judges, it will also help the veteran judge hone the individual’s organizational skills along with the mechanics of officiating the event of one-meter diving. PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS The primary role of the official is to ensure fair competition which is conducted in a positive, safe and healthy environment and that actions of the competitors, coaches and other team personnel are in compliance with the rules. In fulfilling this task, the official must establish the best possible competitive climate for fair competition with the attention on the athletes, rather than on the official. The conduct of each official affects the public’s attitude toward all officials. Therefore, every official must uphold the honor, integrity and dignity of the profession. TABLE OF CONTENTS Officials Code of Ethics .................................................................................................................. 5 Key Points for High School Diving Officials .................................................................................... 6 All Officials .................................................................................................................................... 7 The Diving Referee ........................................................................................................................ 8 Diving Judges............................................................................................................................... 12 The Diving Announcer ................................................................................................................. 14 Guidelines for Judging Diving ...................................................................................................... 14 Diving Point Awards .................................................................................................................... 17 Simplifying the Dive Numbers ..................................................................................................... 19 One Meter Diving Table .............................................................................................................. 21 NFHS Dive Silhouettes ................................................................................................................. 23 Judging Dives............................................................................................................................... 27 4 National Federation of State High School Associations Officials Code of Ethics Officials at an interscholastic athletic event are participants in the educational development of high school students. As such, they must exercise a high level of self-discipline, independence and responsibility. The purpose of this Code is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all interscholastic officials. Officials shall master both the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner. Officials shall work with each other and their state associations in a constructive and cooperative manner. Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with student- athletes, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, colleagues, and the public. Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall comport themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession. Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations. Officials shall remain mindful that their conduct influences the respect that student-athletes, coaches and the public hold for the profession. Officials shall, while enforcing the rules of play, remain aware of the inherent risk of injury that competition poses to student-athletes. Where appropriate, they shall inform event management of conditions or situations that appear unreasonably hazardous. Officials shall take reasonable steps to educate themselves in the recognition of emergency conditions that might arise during the course of competition. Officials shall maintain an ethical approach while participating in forums, chat rooms and all forms of social media. 5 KEY POINTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIVING OFFICIALS • Be knowledgeable of NFHS diving rules. • Study the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book, including the situations and rulings, and attend rules meetings regularly as required by the state association or officials’ association to stay informed regarding current rules. • Be consistent in the application of the rules at all times and at all levels of competition. • Enforce all rules equitably and fairly. Do not allow rule infractions to go uncalled simply because no one has gained an advantage. If there is a violation, it must be called. Do not try to decide who might be unfairly affected by a violation. • Exercise fair and unbiased judgment by disregarding a diver’s identity, team affiliation, etc. • Mentally review what is required for a dive to score at the Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Deficient, and Unsatisfactory levels and what would render the performance a failed dive prior to each dive. • Make timely decisions. • Score only what you specifically observe. Do not guess or anticipate. Do NOT notify divers or coaches that a diver was close to failing a dive. Do not discuss close calls with coaches or competitors. A close call is a no call! • Give your undivided attention to your specific assignment. • Diving is an aesthetic sport so how a dive looks is important. In diving, scoring for all dives is to be based on technical merit, form, accuracy, height, distance and aesthetic value during all phases (start, approach, takeoff, flight, entry) of the dive. While judges may differ in how much relative weight each gives to the phases and the aspects, it is crucial that each judge must be consistent in that weighting throughout the dive meet. • Avoid coaching athletes, but a reminder as to the legal starting position prior to the start of the dive is acceptable. At lower levels of competition, specifically junior high, the explanation of legal starting position may be given in much more detail than at higher levels of competition. • When a coach also judges they should be considerate to the diver on the board at all times. 6 • When discussing the circumstances surrounding events that occurred during the meet with other officials, wait until the meet is over or there is a scheduled break and you are away from fans and coaches. • As an official, never publicly criticize another official or an official’s decision. Report any concerns about another official to the meet referee. • Comments or discussion on a call should not take place with representatives of the media. • Refrain from cheering or verbally supporting participants or a team while serving in an official’s role. • Mentor less experienced officials, as long as it is not a distraction during a meet. • Admit when mistakes have been made and correct the mistake according to the NFHS rules. Do not make a decision to “make up” for a poor decision made earlier. • Be professional and friendly when interacting with administrators, coaches, athletes, spectators, other officials, etc. Do not socialize with these individuals, as it may give the impression of favoring one team over another. • Dress professionally in accordance with state association rules regarding officials uniforms. Do not wear apparel that promotes any particular team or would call into question your impartiality. • Maintain control of the meet, but remember that all participants want to do their best while having a fun and enjoyable experience. • Work a variety of meets. The more experience gained the more comfortable the official will be on deck and the more confident in observation. ALL OFFICIALS All officials must remember their primary purposes when on deck. Officials shall conduct the meet in a professional manner, assure compliance with the NFHS rules and assure that no competitor has an unfair advantage. Officials shall remain mindful of the inherent risk of injury that competition poses to student athletes. Where appropriate, they shall inform event management of conditions or situations that appear unreasonably hazardous. In every meet, all swimming